Magic Make One Look Easy

O'neal's 35 Help Stop 3-game Skid

April 7, 1993|By Tim Povtak of The Sentinel Staff

If only it were this easy every night. The Orlando Magic emerged from a three-game losing streak Tuesday night to blast the Philadelphia 76ers, 116-90, in the first of six remaining games against teams already eliminated from playoff contention.

The Magic, who remained 1 games behind Indiana for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot, took control midway through the second quarter and never were seriously challenged.

Philadelphia offered little resistance.

Shaquille O'Neal led everyone with 35 points - 22 in the first half - and 16 rebounds. Philadelphia rookie Clarence Weatherspoon led the 76ers with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

The game was won so easily that players on both sides were joking with one another and with officials throughout the second half. In contrast to the four previous games between playoff contenders, this one never reached the same intensity level.

''We had a lot of fun out there tonight,'' Magic guard Nick Anderson said. ''I don't think they wanted anything to do with Shaq.''

O'Neal virtually did as he pleased, hitting 17 of 23 shots from the field in 35 minutes. Unlike most of the Magic's opponents, the Sixers elected not to double-team him in the first half and never sent him to the free-throw line.

''When they don't double-team me, that's just an invitation to dunk,'' O'Neal said. ''When it's one-on-one, I just take it to him, whoever it is.''

O'Neal had 13 dunks Tuesday and shot only two free throws. He was guarded most of the game by either Andrew Lang or Manute Bol. Neither had any success.

The Magic (34-37) remained tied with Detroit for ninth place. Both the Pistons and the Pacers also won Tuesday. The Magic, with 11 games remaining, leave this morning on a trip to Charlotte, Minnesota and Milwaukee. The Magic have lost 10 of their last 11 road games and have never won in either Charlotte or Milwaukee in four seasons.

''We've had some success on the road before,'' Magic coach Matt Guokas said. ''If we get our confidence going, we can beat anyone. Tonight we had it. And it's got to start somewhere.''

Although the Magic lead was cut to seven points early in the third quarter, an ensuing 22-7 run that began with a 3-point basket by Dennis Scott allowed the Magic to coast. Philadelphia never got closer than 18 points again.

Philadelphia, which is fighting to avoid having the worst record in the Eastern Conference, is on pace to its worst season since 1974. It showed Tuesday night.

Jeff Hornecek, who had 15 points, was so frustrated that he was ejected with 6:29 remaining by official Jim Kinsey for questioning a call with the Sixers trailing by 24 points.

For the Magic, Scott Skiles had 18 points, Anderson had 15, Jeff Turner 13 and Scott had 11. The Magic shot 56.3 percent from the field, their best shooting night since beating the Heat on March 23.

The Magic strategy was simple as they got the ball to O'Neal on virtually every possession. In the first half, he scored. In the second, when they started to double-team him, he passed. The Magic made 2 of 5 3-point shots in the first half, but 7 of 11 in the second. Skiles made all three of his.

''I don't think we executed any better than we have been, but Shaq just dominated the game offensively,'' Skiles said. ''We got a win, but we're going to need to play better - much better than this - if we're going to win any of these other games.''

Anderson, who hit two of his three 3-point shots, strained his right hamstring muscle in the third quarter.

Despite the lopsided game, the Magic were not taking any chances with the lead. Both Skiles, who played with a sore left shoulder, and O'Neal were still playing late in the game. Skiles finally left with 5:27 and the Magic leading by 22. O'Neal left with 3:10 and the Magic leading by 26.

''Philadelphia was capable of scoring a lot of points in a hurry,'' Guokas said. ''There was still time enough left in the game.''